Russian navy takes delivery of new frigate

19.06.2009

ST. PETERSBURG, June 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's
newest frigate, the Yaroslav Mudry, was officially presented to
the navy on Friday, a spokesman for the Yantar shipyard said.

The frigate, which has just completed sea trials, has a
displacement of 4,250 tons and a maximum speed of 30 knots. It
is armed with anti-ship missiles, air defense systems, a 100-mm
artillery mount, depth charges, and a Ka-27 helicopter.

Construction has taken almost 19 years due to a lack of
financing.

Further delays occurred in early May, when a Ka-27 Helix
helicopter crashed into the Baltic Sea during the Yaroslav
Mudry's sea trials.

The crash occurred after the helicopter's blades grazed
the frigate.

The Baltic Fleet commander earlier said the Yaroslav Mudry
could join the international anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of
Aden after entering service with the Baltic Fleet.